Valley Insider: Special teams often tip the scale in games that come to wire

It's the phase of the game that normally gets noticed only when something off-the-charts happens. Like a trick-play kickoff return that steals victory for one team and leaves the opponent dazed and confused.

We saw that on Saturday when Indiana State ran a hidden-ball trick on Missouri State. The 32-yard return made ESPN's SportsCenter after it led to a field goal with six seconds remaining to drain remaining playoff hopes out of the Bears.

But in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, where so many games are decided by a handful of plays, special teams' success is every bit as important as offensive and defensive execution.

Last weekend, Northern Iowa blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, igniting the Panthers' upset of previously undefeated Illinois State.

"We as coaches get caught up in the trap of not putting time into it, because we're so hung up on offense and defense," Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley said. "It's a trap we all fall into."

Valley programs take different approaches to coaching special teams. Here is the breakdown:

• Six teams (Illinois State, Indiana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Western Illinois) have assistants designated as special teams' coordinators. Those assistants also are designated for a position group.

Indiana State coach Mike Sanford said Jami DeBerry spends about half his allotted time as special teams coordinator, the other half working with safeties.

• One (Youngstown State) has co-special teams coordinators — who also spend time with a position area.

• Three (Missouri State, Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois) divide the special teams' duties among all the assistants.

Small-sample research suggests that each approach has its merits. Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois are 1-2 in kickoff returns, with those same teams flipped at the top of punt-return average and 2-3 — behind North Dakota State — in kickoff coverage average and net punting.

Missouri State checks in at seventh in kickoff returns, punt returns and kickoff coverage and is eighth in net punting. The Bears have had two field goals blocked and two punts blocked. They've been penalized an average of once every 12.5 plays on special teams, compared to once every 19.8 plays on offense and once every 45.8 plays on defense.

Coach Terry Allen said Tuesday that he's committed to continuing handling special teams the same he always has, with a staff-wide approach. The kicking game, in particular, has had its moments.

Chris Sullens has been one of the Valley's best punters, with 26 kicks downed inside the 20. Marcelo Bonani won a game at Central Arkansas with a final-play, 53-yard field goal and, by all rights, should have had the game-winner at Indiana State after his 41-yarder with 42 seconds left.

And Missouri State successfully executed an onside kick in the first half against the Sycamores.

But the kickoff coverage at the end conjured up bad memories for Missouri State football fans. Ten times in Allen's nine seasons, opponents have returned kickoffs for touchdowns. The Bears have two in that time.

Saturday's didn't go for a touchdown and, if two Bears in place to make the tackle do so, Indiana State gets little out of the return.

For a program with countless "ifs and buts" over the years, this was the latest example of a winnable game lost by the narrowest of margins. Special teams tipped the scale.

Lyndal Scranton covers Missouri State and Missouri Valley Conference athletics for the News-Leader. Contact him at 417-837-1346, by email at Lscranton@news-leader.com or follow the fun on Twitter @LscrantonNL

10. South Dakota (0-5, 2-7). Appears to be a wide gap from Coyotes and rest of Valley. Next: Saturday vs. Western Illinois

Tweet-Up time

Twitter followers of News-Leader sports reporter Lyndal Scranton (handle @LscrantonNL) — and anyone else interested in talking sports — are invited to a "Tweet-Up" before Saturday's MSU home football game against Southern Illinois. Look for him at the entrance to McDonald Arena from 12:30-1 p.m. We'll also be giving away some tickets to that football game.